The two-wheel drive Willys DJ-3A "Dispatcher" has a lot in common with the CJ-3B, besides dating from the same era. It was an inexpensive Jeep whose design was largely an efficient, practical recycling of existing tooling and technology. And it is largely unknown today in North America; people are always trying to figure out what this Jeep is.
Anyone for tennis?
The DJ made its debut in 1955, advertised both as a convertible recreational vehicle (a bit ahead of its time) and as America's Lowest Priced Delivery Vehicle (80K JPEG). Designed around the body style and L-134 engine of the former CJ-3A, the Dispatcher was the first Jeep since the early CJ-2A to have a steering column-mounted gearshift. Another distinguishing characteristic was the 4-bolt wheels, hidden by hubcaps in this advertising photo from the collection of Todd Paisley (see a larger version, 100K JPEG).
In 1959 it was offered in the Surrey Gala version, but it had more success as a no-nonsense working vehicle.
The 1960 Dispatcher in this photo was used by Continental Airlines for towing luggage wagons at the old Denver airport. It was in service as late as 1990 based on the vehicle permit on the windshield, but still has the original L-head engine.
Owned by Steve Mehls, the Jeep has now been repainted in its original President's Red and white (35K JPEG) which had been covered up by later re-paints as the Continental colors changed. See also Steve's DJ posing in front of the control tower (30K JPEG).
Airlines also used Dispatchers as mobile airport loading ramps, with the right rear quarter cut diagonally to carry the sloping ramp. See Airport Jeeps on The CJ3B Page.
The DJ-3A was used for all kinds of light-to-medium-duty jobs that didn't require four-wheel drive, including a hardtop delivery version (great photo, 80K JPEG).
On the other hand, this 1958 concept of a mini-pickup version of the Dispatcher, did not go into production.
A Willys 1958 Engineering Release mentions six Post
Office 3B-based prototypes as having been produced. An earlier prototype was photographed in March 1954 -- see Delivery Jeep Bodies on The CJ3B Page. Presumably any production
models, if they had been built, would have been two-wheel drive, but this
vehicle appears to be four-wheel drive. There is no evidence that Willys used the designation DJ-3B.
This 2000 drawing by Hubert Cossard, and the Danbury Mint diecast model portray the vehicles in blue and white livery, but a caption on the 1954 photo says that version was painted red.
See more prototype Jeeps in Jeep Designers at Work.
Kaiser Jeep eventually replaced the DJ-3A with the DJ-5 "Dispatcher 100" in 1965 (see an original DJ-5 advertisement, 23K GIF). It was produced for a couple of years, and like the CJ-5 of that era it was available with the F-head four cylinder, or the Dauntless V-6. There was also a long-wheelbase 2WD DJ-6.
The DJ-5A, the classic "postal Jeep", replaced the DJ-5 in 1967. This example appeared in the movie Addams Family Reunion (1997). See a rear view (40K JPEG) as the mailman delivers some letters to the Addams family mansion.
Kaiser's Defense and Government Products Division used a Chevrolet four-cylinder engine and Powerglide automatic transmission in the DJ-5A. After purchasing Kaiser in 1970, American Motors used its own inline six-cylinder engine during the 1970's, and American General built versions (up to DJ-5L) into the 1980's, using other engines. According to a History of AM General, over 150,000 of these Dispatchers were built, as well as 35,000 FJ-8 and 4,000 larger FJ-9 postal vans.
Postal Jeeps were also used in Canada, but many of them were replaced with newer trucks in the 1970's. The example in this photo was in service on the east coast of Canada into the 1980's, and is now preserved at the Canadian Postal Museum in Ottawa. See also a rear view photo and a photo of the utilitarian interior (40K JPEG's).
Most of the postal Jeeps have also been retired in the U.S., and much as Willys envisioned in 1955, the two-wheel drive Jeep is now becoming an economical recreational vehicle with a lot of potential.
This DJ-5F belongs to Harley Dale, who bought it six years ago from the postal service, and says, "I have since changed or replaced everything from the radiator cap to the tail pipe. I had the original engine re-manufactured and bored out, the transmission replaced with a new 727, rebuilt the carb and replaced the radiator, the alternator, starter and actually everything under the hood."
Thanks to Todd, Steve, Mike and Harley for the photos, and Hubert Cossard for the Surrey drawing. -- Derek Redmond
Please see the DJ-3A Bulletin Board if you have questions or information about the Dispatcher or Surrey.
Two-wheel drive also offers the opportunity to lift the rear end of a Jeep -- see a Postal Jeep in Venezuela.
Also on The CJ3B Page, see The Fleetvan, a Dispatcher with more room for parcels, and Delivery Jeep Hardtops.
Return to Siblings of the CJ-3B.
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